Pope Francis, the Catholic Pontiff has condemned the massacre of farm workers in northeast Nigeria by Boko Haram Islamic jihadist group.
“I want to assure my prayers for Nigeria, where blood has unfortunately been spilled once more in a terrorist attack,” he said in his weekly general audience on Wednesday.
“May God welcome them in his peace and comfort their families, and convert the hearts of those who commit similar atrocities, which gravely offend his name.”
Boko Haram militants attacked the area outside Borno state’s capital Maiduguri on Saturday, slaughtering dozens of labourers in rice fields near the village of Zabarmari.
The Boko Haram group loyal to leader Abubakar Shekau said in a video Tuesday it was “responsible for what happened around Maiduguri in recent days… especially in Zabarmari.”
Pope Francis also used his address to mark the 40th anniversary of the death of four missionaries who were kidnapped, raped and killed by a paramilitary group in El Salvador during the civil war.
“With evangelical dedication, and running great risks, they were bringing food and medication to the displaced and were helping poorer families.
“These women lived their faith with great generosity. They are an example for everyone to become faithful missionary disciples,” he said.